For many people, the differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist may not be immediately clear. Many think that they are one and the same, but this is not the case. This confusion or misunderstanding of what the two professions do, can make it difficult for those seeking help with their mental health to know whether a psychiatrist or a psychologist is best suited to help them.
A fundamental difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is the volume and degree of training. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has qualified in psychiatry as a speciality and focuses on how the brain works in a clinical sense. As well as being qualified to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, a psychiatrist is able to prescribe medication, where required. A psychologist is not normally medically qualified and therefore is not able to prescribe medication.
In essence, both professions are well qualified to help someone struggling with their mental health, so how do you choose?
When assessing your mental health, a psychiatrist will take into account your medical history and will suggest the most appropriate treatment, whether that is therapy, medicine or a combination of both. Psychologists will focus instead on how the mind works, your behaviours and the motivations, thinking and feelings behind those behaviours.
By visiting a psychiatrist in the first instance, you will gain a more developed understanding of the biological causes of your disorder. Alternatively, visiting a psychologist first to understand the depth of your disorder may be beneficial, but you may then be referred to a psychiatrist for further medical understanding.
Both clinicians treat a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, PTSD, stress disorders, phobias, OCD, schizophrenia and psychosis. Your decision of which professional to see may depend on the disorder you believe you may have and its severity. Some disorders require medication as a part of ongoing management and treatment, for example, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, so it would be more appropriate to consult a psychiatrist.
Other disorders, for example anxiety, can be treated by talking therapies alone without the need for drug treatment, depending on the severity of the symptoms, and in this case a psychologist may be preferable.
A psychiatrist usually refers onto a psychologist for therapeutic treatment, reducing ongoing costs, but can simultaneously commence medication to facilitate a faster recovery. For these reasons, it can often be more cost effective and speed up the process of diagnosis, treatment and recovery to visit a psychiatrist to begin with.
One thing which all mental healthcare professionals have in common is that ultimately they all seek to ensure that their patients receive the right treatment. If beneficial to the patient, they will always make cross-referrals to the most appropriate clinician. If in real doubt of where to go, a good place to start is with your GP who can based on their experience, review the severity of your symptoms and suggest the right starting point for a full diagnosis and recovery.
Yes, psychologists can assess and diagnose a range of mental health conditions through psychological testing and clinical interviews. However, they cannot prescribe medication and may refer you to a psychiatrist for medical treatment if needed.
In many cases, especially within public healthcare systems like the NHS, a referral from your GP is required to see a psychiatrist. Psychologists, especially those in private practice, may not require a referral, but it’s always best to check with the provider.
Psychologists provide evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, and others. They help patients understand and change unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
No. Many mental health conditions, particularly mild to moderate anxiety and depression, can be effectively treated with therapy alone. However, for more severe conditions or when therapy alone is insufficient, medication may be recommended by a psychiatrist.
Yes, many people benefit from a collaborative approach. A psychiatrist may manage your medication while a psychologist provides regular therapy sessions. This teamwork can provide a more comprehensive treatment plan.
